Livelihoods Officer At International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

In Poland, the IRC delivers Economic Support, Education and Protection programming to Ukrainian refugees and Polish host communities. IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) programming ensures that clients meet both their short- and long-term economic needs through sustainable and ethical programs such as cash and voucher transfers, food security promotion, enterprise development and employment promotion.

The IRC is recruiting a Livelihoods Officer to be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of career development activities, mainly focusing on individual counselling and employment–relevant skills building. The Livelihoods Officer will be based in Warsaw, with up to 30% travel within the Mazovian Voivodeship, Katowice, Gdynia, and other locations as necessary. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the program’s needs.

JOB SUMMARY

The IRC Poland provides Livelihood Program (LHH), such as job counselling and matching services, employment-relevant soft skills, and language courses and supports refugees and host communities in job placement opportunities. These services are delivered from two Livelihoods Centers: in Warsaw by IRC and in Katowice via IRC’s partner. The IRC is looking for a dynamic and versatile humanitarian professional that will support day to day implementation of Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion programming in Poland, which includes the provision of career development activities, such as job counselling and job matching, Job Readiness Training (JRT) and Soft Skills and Hard Skills training (such as computer literacy and MS Office basic training), organize social events, and perform other tasks depending on project needs. The post holder will collaborate closely with other project staff within IRC and partner organizations, municipalities, the private sector, and community groups. The Livelihoods Officer might supervise the team of LLH assistants as the project needs might evolve with time.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the ERD Livelihoods Manager, the Livelihoods Officer will be responsible for:

Program Quality and Implementation:

Effective livelihoods and economic inclusion programming implementation, including individual and in-group career counselling sessions to develop a career pathway and facilitate labor market integration.

Deliver training sessions on soft and hard skills topics, such as but not limited to; labor rights, labor market, CV writing, workplace culture, computer literacy and MS Office, and social and work skills building for the refugees from Ukraine.

Provide one-on-one career counselling services. Help clients develop a professional CV and cover letter, identify relevant employment opportunities, and provide overall support throughout the professional job search.

Match clients with suitable job openings and prepare clients for job interviews.

Support other LLHs personnel in organizing social and cultural events and conducting outreach activities.

Support the ERD Livelihoods Manager in establishing and maintaining relationships with the key regional stakeholders, including municipalities, labour offices, the private sector, and business associations.

Support the ERD Livelihoods Manager and the ERD Team in proper documentation, including the use of appropriate technology platforms for client data and distribution information, per SOPs and Data Protection regulations.

Ensure that gender, protection and environmental stewardship are mainstreamed in the Career Development Program.

Support the ERD Livelihoods Manager with drafting Standard Operating Procedures, Project Implementation Guidelines and Terms of Reference for various project activities.

Any other duties assigned by the ERD Livelihoods manager/ERD Coordinator to support ERD, livelihoods and economic inclusion activities in Warsaw and other locations.

External Representation:

Working with partner organizations to ensure compliance with IRC standards, meet project milestones, and troubleshoot issues as needed.

Support the business outreach process and represent the IRC in external job fairs and networking meetings.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL):

Adjust and adhere to detailed implementation plans to ensure program implementation is on time, with target goals and budget management using effective monitoring & evaluation systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts.

Ensure proper data collection and information management systems are used for projects in-line with MEAL support.

Work with databases developed by the MEAL team for client data and other programmatic information.

Support written program evaluations, reviews and ensure documentation of lessons learned informing reporting and program development.

Support the ERD Livelihoods Manager and Client Responsiveness Officers in addressing feedback from clients and partners.

Professional Standards:

Complete other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: ERD Livelihoods Manager.

Position directly supervises: none.

Works closely with:

Internal: Other ERD team members, IRC Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) staff, Protection, Finance and Supply Chain departments.

External: IRC’s partner organizations, local municipalities and CSOs, and other community stakeholders; other practitioners in the field as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: minimum university degree in Career Counselling, Social Science, International Development, Business Administration, Economics, Humanitarian Response, or related areas preferred – or equivalent work experience.

Demonstrated Skills and COMPETENCIES:

At least one year of relevant work experience in social support project delivery, experience in NGO.

Ability to deliver individual job counselling sessions and quality training on labour rights, labour market, CV writing, workplace culture, communication, computer literacy, MS Office and other relevant work and social skills.

Ability to work with a high volume of information and strong attention to detail, including Polish and English resources, to develop appropriate and up-to-date high-standard training materials and create content and evaluation strategies.

Native level of Ukrainian, Upper intermediate (B2) level of English, Intermediate (B1) level of Polish, verbal and written or willingness to advance within first 2 months.

Understanding the principles of delivering classes to adults, identifying appropriate learning methodologies and approaches, and familiarity with education in emergency methodologies.

Well-developed interpersonal communication, strong public speaking skills, and ability to communicate clearly and concisely.

High productivity, flexibility and ability to multi-task while working in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for the beneficiaries and partners.

Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace.

Willingness to travel within Poland, including two-day trips.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, with advanced PowerPoint and Excel knowledge.

Demonstrated dedication to an anti-racist and Do No Harm approach, gender equality and inclusion.

Must have the right to work in Poland.

Work environment:

Working hours: 9:00-17:00 and occasionally (twice monthly) 11:00-19:00.

Travel and other requirements: up to 30% travel within the Mazovian Voivodeship, Katowice, Gdynia, and other locations as necessary.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.